How to Get Started with Notion (without losing your mind)

You can purchase the template here: www.jeffsu.org/get-started-wi...
This is the essential beginner’s tutorial for Notion Newbies.
Learn how to build a simple yet powerful dashboard to organize your life. In just minutes, you'll master Notion databases, create customized views, and streamline your tasks and notes.
We will cover: Notion basics, Databases 101, Custom views and Templates.
THE NO BS PRODUCTIVITY NEWSLETTER 📧
www.jeffsu.org/productivity-p...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Get Started with Notion in 15 min
00:26 Create LifeOS home screen
01:06 Create Tasks Database
04:31 Create Notes Database
07:03 Build Command Center dashboard
13:12 Must-know Notion feature
15:39 Bonus tip for Beginners
RESOURCES I MENTION IN THE VIDEO
Plan a Production Week in Notion - • A Productive Notion Da...
Intro to AI video - • Google’s AI Course for...
MY FAVORITE GEAR
🎬 My KZbin Gear - www.jeffsu.org/yt-gear/
🎒 Everyday Carry - www.jeffsu.org/my-edc/
MY TOP 3 FAVORITE SOFTWARE
❎ CleanShot X - geni.us/cleanshotx
✍️ Skillshare - geni.us/skillshare-jeff
📖 Readwise - readwise.io/jeffsu/
BE MY FRIEND:
📧 Subscribe to my Productivity newsletter - www.jeffsu.org/productivity-p...
📸 Instagram - / j.sushie
🤝 LinkedIn - / jsu05
👨🏻‍💻 WHO AM I:
I'm Jeff, a tech professional trying to figure life out. What I do end up figuring out, I share!
PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links I get a kickback from and my opinions are my own and may not reflect that of my employer 😇
#notionhq #notion #productivity

[@JeffSu]

Leave your questions down below! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Get Started with Notion in 15 min 00:26 Create LifeOS home screen 01:06 Create Tasks Database 04:31 Create Notes Database 07:03 Build Command Center dashboard 13:12 Must-know Notion feature 15:39 Bonus tip for Beginners

[@movingforwardLDTH]

PLEASE tell me that you did NOT just call it the “YING-Yang” icon. It is “Yin-Yang”.

[@JeffSu]

🥲@@movingforwardLDTH

[@user-zm1gu6bj4k]

Thank You its all answered in your video😃

[@kylergrace]

This may not be relevant to the effectiveness of the Command Center but I'm having trouble stacking the task view and notes view table side by side as seen in your tutorial. Is there a step to achieve that format?

[@JeffSu]

They shouldn't be stacked. They should be side by side though@@kylergrace

[@grellkins]

This is by far the best Notion video I have seen. I've been trying to get into Notion, but I watch one tutorial and I instantly feel overwhelmed. But with this video I could easily follow along, and I have now setup my own basic LifeOS. Not only that, I actually have a basic understanding of how it works, so I can play around with all the different options myself. Thanks Jeff!

[@james-broderick]

I second this sentiment, man. Great video.

[@dtazz1985]

Completely agree

[@grandpa_plays_chess2]

Recently I've been lamenting on Reddit about how difficult onboarding Notion is. Maybe this video, at 1/4 speed and stopping every the second will finally get me to the promised land. Thanks for the effort.

[@JeffSu]

Let me know how it goes!

[@anthonybenware743]

Honestly a great idea to slow down the video. This such a great video, just need to pause and rewatch parts due to Notion being so new to me!

[@brucemcdilda6602]

Finally a tutorial I don't have to put in 1.5+ plus speed and skipping ahead 5 minutes waiting for them to get to the point. I'll assume many people do not know you can select the playback speed + -. Don't slow down Gettr Done.

[@JeffSu]

@@brucemcdilda6602 Thanks!!

[@GoMsOrange]

1/4 speed..... wish I would have read this before I started... LOL

[@datagus]

I like very much your style in your tutorial. Energetic, straigh to the point, pro tips, etc. Great content!

[@JeffSu]

Thanks my friend 😁

[@Sarapontmercy]

I have been using notion since 2019 probably and watched so many tutorials across the years to try and make my organization more efficient and this by far is the most informative video I have watched. Clear, to the point, tells you what you need, why you might need it and SHOWS you how to set it up with tips and shortcuts. Thank you! Please do more of this 🙏 Subscribed.

[@JeffSu]

Yay welcome 😁

[@spencerbackman]

THis was the single most helpful video I've seen for understanding the power of notion and how to make use of it. Subscribed. Thank you Jeff.

[@JeffSu]

Welcome and thank you!!

[@KedarJoshi070]

This is much simpler than many of the Notion videos on KZbin. I loved the simplicity of your dashboard !

[@JeffSu]

Thank you! 😁

[@gregoc-tech]

I have always been intrigued by Notion but have always been overwhelmed just getting started and uninstall it. Other videos try to go from zero to controlling your entire life. This was simple and easy to follow. I will be rewatching and setting up my own LifeOS! I would LOVE an additional video with your entire HQ setup in this same format. Thanks, Jeff!

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo glad to hear it 😁

[@philclay9051]

I would love this, maybe a touch slower when you action things

[@JeffSu]

Got it@@philclay9051

[@kirkbernal8561]

Thank you, Jeff! I wanted to start Notion a while ago, but I needed this video to actually start building it for my liking. Keep it up!

[@JeffSu]

Will do 😁

[@txshadow4321]

🤯Mind Blown. I have struggled for over 2 years to wrap my head around Notion. I have even purchased an expensive ££ per-made templates and thought that was what I was missing. However, I never used it because it was just too complicated. Your video breaks it down into simple steps. Get a 'foundation-level' understanding and then add a new feature. THANK YOU!!!! You are a star 🌟

[@JeffSu]

No problem!!!

[@MayChen0413]

Thanks for another great video, Jeff! I appreciate how detailed and clear you are with each step (including the keyboard shortcuts), and I just added an "upcoming" view to my own task list using your tips! Keep up the amazing work :)

[@JeffSu]

That's awesome May! Glad this was helpful!!!

[@AnazAshraff]

Thanks for taking the time to do these. Your videos and explainations are excellent and easy to understand. Thanks for helping us be as savvy as you are! Appreciate it!

[@JeffSu]

No problem my friend 😁

[@forrestanderson2885]

Brilliant. You successfully crammed 60 minutes of instructions into 18 minutes. Houston: we have lift off. Thank you. I have subscribed and will be searching for more of your Notion content. Thank you.

[@JeffSu]

Woohoo thank you and welcome 😁

[@SkeatBoardGirlz]

Hi Jeff! I am a big fan of your videos. Amid the multitude of productivity videos, the conciseness of your content makes it much easier to follow. Cannot wait for the more advanced videos!

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo I'm happy to hear that!

[@heatherraney]

Thank you Jeff for another awesome, informative, and clear video! I love how direct, easy going, and useful your videos are. As a new creator, trying to set up my own side business, and wanting to organize it using Notion, this is so helpful, and is bite sized :) THANK YOU!

[@JeffSu]

NO PROBLEM 😁

[@raisedbywolves92]

Love the energy! Thanks for the video. Super informative and fun. Definitely keen for more 🤩

[@JeffSu]

Sweeeet!

[@austinwalters]

THis is the best Notion tutorial I have ever seen - PLEASE - go further with this tutorial

[@JeffSu]

Thanks so much Austin!!!

[@GoMsOrange]

This is AMAZING!! Thank you Jeff! I had to use the pause button a million times and some of the newer Notion options are different but even I was able to create my own LifeOS!!!

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo congrats! 😁

[@FlorentGodin]

Great reminder of Notion features! Thank you Jeff for your amazing content. I started my productivity journey with your video on zero inbox some years ago. I then discovered some amazing youtubers on the subject but from all productivity gurus, you are my favorite one. Great videos, nice graphics and a sense of humor that is your trademark. A big thanks from France !

[@JeffSu]

Woohoo thank you - or should I say Merci - my friend 😁

[@slampog]

It's simple. I see a new Jeff Su video, I click it, I watch it, and then I hit the like button.

[@JeffSu]

And then the dislike button twice?

[@DwaipayanRC]

Same here too

[@neilketcham898]

I can’t yet, the likes are perfectly at “666”.

[@JeffSu]

LOL@@neilketcham898

[@neilketcham898]

Now I can! So I did! lol@@JeffSu

[@AmineBelmajdoub]

Like button then watched the vid! This is the best notion vid I everseen Jeff ! Good job man

[@JeffSu]

Woohoo thank you!! 😁

[@MatthiasHaltenhof]

Might be the first video on notion (watched 5 before) where I start understanding the tool itself and see a meaning behind using it. Thank you!

[@JeffSu]

No problem Matthias!

[@jenmckeeman]

The way you think about and organize things makes my brain happy. I always copy/paste your methods!

[@JeffSu]

Yayyyy 😁

[@manictv5811]

YOu gotta give this guy the recognition and respect for making this awesome and detailed video, PLUS all the animations and sound you put into. Thanks brotha

[@JeffSu]

No problem!

[@brunobrito450]

Awesome work Jeff, your productivity videos help very much! keep the work and make more videos like this!

[@JeffSu]

Will do!

[@brettwalker4950]

You’re a great teacher, Jeff! Thanks for all your awesome presentations.

[@JeffSu]

Thanks so much Brett 😁

[@JessicaVelame-lb7sb]

Excellent. I dont usually comment in videos but this one deserves that. Straight forward and easy to understand how to make the best use of notion. Thanks, Jeff

[@JeffSu]

Thank you Jessica 😁

[@vikram.SumerSingh]

I soo needed this! Solid content as always @jeff

[@JeffSu]

Glad to hear it!! 😁

[@a.patricianeto]

Hi Jeff! Love your energy and sense of humour! 😂 I'm learning a lot with you! Thanks so much from Portugal. Keep going 😉

[@JeffSu]

Thank you!! 😁

[@acdnintheusa]

Well that definitely earned a sub. Rock solid demo. Like others, I’ve picked up and put down Notion a few times. I characterize Notion as MS Word, Excel, and Access all in one. Frankly, an overwhelming mouthful (ie application). This intro has me willing to give it another shot. Thank you!

[@JeffSu]

Wooohooo thank you 😁, let me know how it goes!

[@MrBedgy57]

Thank you Jeff! Because of your videos I have learned so much from better AI engagement to understanding Notion. I have heard so much about Notion but as a novice user I found it hard to understand but thanks to you and this video I can at least understand some basics.

[@JeffSu]

Glad to hear it 😁

[@rsosa3632]

That was an awesome tutorial! I'm a new subscriber, and I'm excited to see more of your content. Congratulations on gaining a new follower!😂🎉

[@JeffSu]

Thank you and welcome 😁

[@StephenBerne]

I've just followed along, thanks for the really clear explanation!

[@JeffSu]

No problem!

[@akshaypatil774]

Amazing! this is what I was looking for.

[@JeffSu]

Glad you found it then 😁

[@kjmlambert]

oh my gosh, definitely the best video I’ve watched on notion! also please consider this an additional vote to see a video on your current command centre!

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo thanks 😁

[@r1pwave]

Amazing tutorial, best one I've seen so far! I started using Notion months ago and kinda gave up a bit, but this video just summarised all the features so well. 🔥

[@JeffSu]

Yay glad to hear it 😁

[@tiwarey]

I love how to the point your videos are. Love them

[@JeffSu]

Wooohoo!

[@tracyc5070]

Thank you so much for creating and sharing this excellent tutorial! I am still overwhelmed by Notion but following this video I am beginning to understand it! Kudos, and thanks again for a job well done!

[@JeffSu]

You're very welcome 😁

[@lyn-marisnyman5906]

Wow! This is so helpful. I've tried so many Notion Tutorials but nothing actually helped me understand how it works or how to use it. Thanks so much! I finally know how to implement this

[@JeffSu]

Happy to hear it 😁

[@sonsareliveson]

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much for this tutorial Jeff!

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@maybe_nafish]

Ahhh, This tutorial! I will be very helpfull to you for this tutorial. It is the best..... i have spent more than 5h in youtube for notion temps. They are quite complex and feels hard to use. But now i understood the basics of notion as well as built the first life os for myself. Thanks a lot Jeff.

[@JeffSu]

No problem! 😁

[@amansjourneys2]

This was exactly what I was looking for. I've tried to use Notion many times but am always overwhlemed and end up going back to notepad or inotes. This was the best way to organize things I've found, thank you!

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome 😁

[@mittendad]

Another fantastic video Jeff! I echo others - other Notion tutorials seem to take you from 0 to 100, and while I paused here and there to follow along, it was really easy to replicate the steps! So yes, would love an additional HQ tutorial, and definitely advise similar pacing and explanations for that one as well! Have been recommending you to anyone who has been curious about Notion!

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo glad to hear it 😁

[@user-ly2pp9od3k]

Awesome video man, just right to the point, definitely new subscriber. Thank you very much

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo welcome 😁

[@yesanncan]

Amazing tutorial, I was working on my notion while watching. I definitely had to go back many times at various points to get it, but I learn best by doing. Would love to see the full command center/HQ! Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise and teach others!

[@JeffSu]

Thanks for letting me know!!

[@shakhtyor]

Brilliant as always, Jeff! Your videos are like a pit stop service in Formula 1. No bullshit, no time wasting, just packed high-quality stuff. You could probably win the PitStop Award for this :)! I would be happy to see an extended video that could probably help to understand how to deal with different PROJECTS at work and in personal life, and how to make the database really meaningful over the years (how to set the right foundation), how to STORE, TAG, SEARCH and USE information. I would also be grateful if you could describe how your whole "LifeOS" works. I mean not just in Notion, but how it connects to other tools and techniques. E.g. what you store in Google Drive, how it's connected to Notion, how you avoid duplication of information, how you take notes, how you've developed a skill to track important segments in conversations/documents/concepts and a skill to ask the right questions. P.S. Oh, and the organizational structure for all the prompts you use, or even the prompt collection? Sweet dreams! But I would be happy to pay for it!

[@JeffSu]

That might be a little too advanced for my audience BUT I can say that I have an awesome Google Workspace toolkit coming up with the prompts I use 😁

[@starryeye3482]

Omg that would be epic! Great thoughts!

[@SpeakFluentGerman]

This was seriously so helpful. Finally got started in Notion, rather than freezing up every time I try to do anything in there. So thank you very much for this video!

[@JeffSu]

No problem! Glad I could help 😁

[@christiancabaluna4303]

Amazing how you made it simple and easy to follow. Waiting for Part 2.

[@JeffSu]

Phew, I'm so glad you said that! I was worried I was still going too fast

[@viktorviktorelius4032]

Such a clean video! Love it ❤

[@JeffSu]

Woohoo!

[@kellyschermann7437]

I just created a Notion account to help me manage my severe ADHD by amalgamating many different facets of both my professional and my personal life, and didn't know where or how to begin, but Notion sure seems like the answer. I spent a couple of days getting excited and overwhelmed with the variety of free templates out there (copying a bunch to my account), without knowing what really suits my needs. Then, I stumbled onto your video and thought that it was a great place to start, just getting to know the basics and then build (or copy) from there. Thanks so much for your timely tutorial . . . and as for you talking fast, I just turned my playback speed down to 0.75 . . . and then to 0.5, and that worked! 🙂 I'd love to see more of your ideas on how to expand upon the bones of what you had us build. I'm not much of a hotkey command kind of guy though, aside from the 3 or 4 standards that everyone knows.

[@JeffSu]

Glad to hear it my friend 😁

[@deedunn9811]

hokey pete. THANK YOU for your comment. I had no idea one could alter the playback speed. My brain thanks you. This is a game changer for me.

[@kellyschermann7437]

@@deedunn9811 No worries! It definitely is a game changer, and it's a wonderful way to learn foreign languages. Decreasing playback speed is how I learned to pray the prayers of my faith in Latin.

[@MaxGrossenbacher]

So well explained. Thank you, Jeff

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@Lofi_Noodles]

Such a good video, this got me started! Thank you Jeff.

[@JeffSu]

No problem!

[@Tooshbaba]

Just when I needed it! 🚀🚀🚀

[@JeffSu]

Nice!!!

[@erikgrunther5697]

Amazing as always, many thankssss

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@CallMeHarris]

Outstanding Jeff, thank you

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome 😁

[@sab001]

1.) You are freaking FAST! 2.) You are freaking GREAT! Thank you for this video!

[@JeffSu]

LOL, thanks!

[@NecookieMonster]

TYSM! I've been struggling with productivity recently and this video 100% helps!!

[@JeffSu]

Glad to hear it!!

[@bree8150]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video! Super helpful. 👏🏼

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@miftahfarid4147]

I spent 90 minutes literally following each step. Thank you for sharing the tips.

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@kinshuksuri4191]

Thank you Jeff, this was immensely helpful 🙌

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@chris_grimley]

Hey Jeff, great video! I’m a moderately experienced Notion user and your video helped reinforce some basic principles I’ve let slip from some of my recent designs.

[@JeffSu]

Wow I'm glad even you found value from this!!

[@rohanjadhav8182]

@JeffSu Thanks Man, I was doing my work completely on notebooks and want to convert it into digital. This video is popped up on my youtube just on time to save me all the searching and leading to you. You explained each and every step very clearly. Thanks a lot man. Love from India ❤.

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo 😁

[@blakestrat]

Your attention to detail in editing is ridiculous (and helpful)! Thanks 🙏

[@JeffSu]

My viewers deserve the best!

[@kantasirisriro6055]

This was amazing! It was easy to follow and I was able to understand how Notion works by going through the tutorial. Best to watch at 0.75 speed. Like and subscribed! Thanks Jeff!

[@JeffSu]

Thanks and welcome 😁

[@grace6355]

love that you are going through all one by one! great tutorial for one who is craving to understand how to use notion better. Thanks for the video :)

[@JeffSu]

No problem Grace 😁

[@t2p5g4]

This was really nice because it showed me what Notion can do in a very short amount of time. This is valuable because it Easily gives me an idea if I want to use it or another product.

[@JeffSu]

That's what I love to hear! 😁

[@hardik6700]

This is very nicely explained. Much helpful.

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo 😁

[@alainaiazzi4621]

Whenever Jeff shares a new video the day becomes awesome!

[@JeffSu]

Dam. Too bad I only upload every 2 weeks then 😂

[@alainaiazzi4621]

@@JeffSu a painful wait 😂😂

[@cosmiqdesigner]

Great explanation and absolutely amazing video format with those intuitive micro animation. The video title is on point.

[@JeffSu]

Wooohoo thank you 😁

[@raphaelmatthew5165]

I installed notion last week and I have been looking for a beginner friendly video on how to get started then this showed up today, Jeff only if this comment section can express my emotions right now, it'll be filled with this "😁😁😁😁😁😁😁". Thanks for all you're doing.

[@JeffSu]

Hahahaha let me respond with: 😁😁😁😁😁

[@raphaelmatthew5165]

❤

[@weedsocks]

Thank you so much. I had no clue it was this powerful!

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome 😁

[@Bangus56]

You lostt me at hash hash

[@JeffSu]

😅

[@minjiparkio]

LOlllll me too

[@ArifulHaqueRoni]

Wow! Yes finally I got a starting point to use Notion from scratch and all credit goes to you, thanks you @Jeff Su

[@JeffSu]

Yayyy happy to hear that haha

[@aliyalangley]

Just starting to use Notion, and this was so helpful in getting me set up and more comfortable with the platform. Thanks!

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@r10s]

I really enjoyed working through this, thank you !

[@JeffSu]

Anytime!

[@dana291299ify]

I had to watch it on 0.5x speed to follow all up and do it myself. Thank you, it was really helpful!

[@JeffSu]

No problem!

[@juliabritto2177]

thank you friend, i will try notion for the first time!

[@alx25]

Another great video, thank you!

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome!

[@joeylook]

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I followed through and have my LifeOS, I can't wait to use it daily!

[@JeffSu]

Let me know how it goes!

[@joeylook]

@@JeffSu Not sure if this is what you'd like to do... As I finding a way to track my goals in a quarterly form of a year, I found the 12-week year thing about set + achieving goals, I'd really hope to see how you'd put your spin on this! It would be so much helpful and I'd much appreciated it ☺

[@filipgurcinovski319]

in the ~2 years of using notion, and relying on buying templates etc, this is the most well-explained, simple guide I've ever watched. Very well done.

[@JeffSu]

Yay 😁

[@user-zm1gu6bj4k]

couldnt agree more👍

[@criskoberart]

I have been using notion for a while now, mostly as a note taking app. This tutorial was super helpful to understand databases. I have a monthly process for my bookkeeping business that will definitely become more efficient by implementing databases. I will be on the lookout for relational databases set up next! It will be awesome to link different clients to the same processes! I am full of ideas. Thank you! And as others have said, this was super clear and easy to follow!

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome! 😁

[@TechSymax]

Thanks so much Jeff. Minimum time max learning !!!

[@JeffSu]

Anytime!

[@mikaelaarturjsm2775]

Such a nice explanation, thank you

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome 😁

[@taufeeq8269]

I have to say this,you are an incredible teacher! ❤️

[@JeffSu]

Thank you 😁

[@danteduarte381]

Great video. It was really helpful, thank you.

[@JeffSu]

No problem Dante!

[@ehname1]

This is absolutely the most succinct intro to Notion I've seen, yet I still think it's going to take me hours to set up - but I'm going to anyway because I think it will be really powerful for uni.

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo glad to hear it 😁

[@ExistentialPerplexity]

Thank you so much for this guide! Planning to put mine together soon :)

[@JeffSu]

Let me know how it goes!

[@ExistentialPerplexity]

@@JeffSu It went well! I'm starting to grasp the key concepts now and will play around with it as I go. I really appreciate your videos!

[@JeffSu]

NIce!!!@@ExistentialPerplexity

[@vanillacrash2584]

In the first minute I learned more than I learned after three hours of poking around trying to get it to do what I wanted. Thank you!

[@JeffSu]

That's what I love to hear!

[@Denisgerasimovvv]

Awesome vid. Thanks. Making notion simple for us all. 😊

[@JeffSu]

No problem 😁

[@user-pi1bd5xi3q]

Thank you so much for sharing easy to digest yet full of informative videos. love you content. Recently started using Notion and your videos are great resource for me.

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo glad to hear it!

[@NathanealGlgz]

Thank you so much, Jeff. I'm trying to learn Notion to organize my life and create a course :)

[@JeffSu]

Woohoo 😁

[@dhruvang5369]

Best set up explanation ever. Thanks.

[@JeffSu]

Anytime!

[@kookoozed]

I really needed this tutorial thank you

[@JeffSu]

You're welcome!

[@niibotland8999]

Thanks Jeff for this video. Feel like a notion pro already. 😉

[@JeffSu]

Sweeeet

[@camilodelfierroacevedo5292]

Ty Jeff, I'm building this step by step, i'm already halfway trough listening at 0,75 speed, taking my time also. Ty!

[@JeffSu]

Let me know when you finish 😁

[@dns_frnt]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial, this is a very efficient way to organize tasks in notion !

[@JeffSu]

No problem Denis!

[@avoiceforthevoiceless2068]

Seriously the best Notion tutorial on KZbin! :) My brain just doesn't have the patience for long ass videos, so I'm really digging this pace + style of teaching! Thank you so much.

[@JeffSu]

Yayyyyy 😁

[@KilianSchinnerling]

Great video Jeff, please make a video of your current LifeOS page! 🙌

[@JeffSu]

Gotcha!

[@sujairsuhaim2769]

Hello Jeff, New Subscriber from Sri Lanka love your contents and explanations 🖤

[@JeffSu]

Woohooo welcome!

[@twijjukyeanan]

Master mind, brilliantly done.

[@JeffSu]

Thanks 😁